He was also known for his work on many shows including Northern Exposure, Homicide: Life on a Street, Chicago Hope, Rubicon and Brotherhood.

The writer went to UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, on Monday (March 18) with shortness of breath, before collapsing in the waiting area at 3.30pm local time.

"We were lucky to work with Henry on and off for the past 18 years," 20th Century Fox TV and Fox 21 said in a statement.

"He was a supremely talented writer and as kind and warm a person as you could ever meet. He will be deeply missed at the studio and on Homeland. Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife and children."

Showtime described him as "an immensely talented and prolific writer, director and showrunner, and his work on Brotherhood and Homeland was nothing short of brilliant. His passion, warmth, humor and generosity will be greatly missed".

Bromell was most recently involved in hiring new writers for Homeland's third season, including his former Homicide colleague James Yoshimura.